This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: On the national list of the U.S. Senate candidates who spent their own money last year, only three dipped deeper into their pockets than local businessman John Brunner.
Brunner spent $7.9 million in his unsuccessful Republican effort to win his party’s nomination and run against U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
Brunner ended up losing unexpectedly in the August primary to then-U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Wildwood, who within weeks became a household name over his “legitimate rape” comment. McCaskill trounced Akin in November.
Brunner’s one bit of solace is that the three U.S. Senate candidates who spent more than he did also lost, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics,which tracks campaign money. The top Senate candidate who funded herself was Linda McMahon, who spent $48.6 million in her failed GOP bid in Connecticut.
In fact, of the nation’s top 12 self-funders – all Republicans -- who ran for the Senate last year, only one won: now-Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who injected almost $900,000 of his own money in his campaign. He ranked as No. 12.
In a recent interview with Beacon, Brunner says he generally has no regrets about his expensive first-time foray into politics. It depends, he says, on how one looks at it.
Explained Brunner: “Is it worth it to participate in what you wanted to do, in hopes of making a difference?...From that standpoint it was worth it.”
But if one compares his quest to “putting a down payment on a car and it didn’t deliver,” Brunner explained with a slight smile, “then, no, it’s not worth it.”
Brunner’s spur-of-the-moment interview -- rare since his loss last year -- came as he mingled with fellow Republicans at the state party’s recent Lincoln Days festivities, held a few weeks ago in downtown St. Louis.
Unlike many of those present, Brunner said his chief aim was not to test the waters for another political bid but to meet and encourage fellow Republicans – especially, young Republicans.
Seeks to encourage more young Republicans
Brunner, 61, said he’s not ruling out another bid for office – and that he’s been besieged by Republicans to look at various posts in 2014, notably St. Louis County executive, an office now held by Democrat Charlie Dooley.
But Brunner added that his chief interest these days is in encouraging and recruiting younger Republicans to consider running for office.
Brunner said that the GOP must do better at attracting support among the young, unless the party wants to see itself fade away like an old brand of aftershave.
“Ideally, I would get behind a younger candidate,” Brunner said, explaining that in his own case, “you’ve got to look at how much runway ahead you have left.”
A former Marine, Brunner says that his military service offered the best training for the rough-and-tumble world of politics in which he did battle for about a year. And while he didn’t win, he says he did learn a few things that he’d like to share with other potential Republican candidates and his party.
In particular, Brunner appears to part ways – to a point -- with some in his party who say that their problem in Missouri and other states wasn’t the message but how it was delivered.
Brunner agrees in part with that assessment but adds that he also believes that his party could tweak its message as well.
The best example to emulate, he said, may be retired U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex., who energized hordes of young people in his two unsuccessful bids for the White House.
Without focusing on Paul’s specific stands, Brunner praised “the authenticity of his message’’ and notes that young people flocked to Paul, despite his age, because he was seen as someone committed to his beliefs.
That’s a lesson that Republican leaders should take to heart as they recruit their next round of candidates, Brunner said.
As for himself, Brunner has joined the board of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers and is contemplating his next move. “I like the idea of maintaining my options,’’ Brunner said, “and finding out where you can make the biggest difference.”
